Skip to main content
Want more images or videos?
Request additional images or videos from the seller
1 of 21

French Empire Flamed Mahogany Secretaire a'Abattant Desk ca. 1830

$5,500
£4,091.07
€4,789.83
CA$7,674.37
A$8,587.83
CHF 4,484.16
MX$105,578.47
NOK 56,572.88
SEK 53,234.80
DKK 35,735.84
Shipping
Retrieving quote...
The 1stDibs Promise:
Authenticity Guarantee,
Money-Back Guarantee,
24-Hour Cancellation

About the Item

LOUIS PHILIPPE FLAMED MAHOGANY SECRETAIRE A'ABATTANT France, circa 1830 Item # 407TCJ10P This positively stunning secretary desk from the second quarter of the 19th century features a carefully selected and executed book-matching of flamed mahogany veneers that creates a brilliant flame-like array across the entire face of the desk. These are the focal point of the entire design and are executed with such flawless precision that the result is largely breathtaking. Under a replaced ebonized wood top (would originally have likely been marble) is a single full-width drawer set in the frieze flanked by bold gilt-bronze anthemion mounts that curve over the full-length columns on either side of the case. The fall-front is operated with the original key to allow it to rest on internal steel pins designed within the hinges, this revealing an early (and likely original) gilt-tooled leather writing surface before a distinctly architectural interior set with a single drawer over four tapering columns over four smaller drawers. Beneath the lowest drawer is a void in the desk that perhaps once had a secret panel, now open and giving access to any stored contents below. A single dovetailed organization box floats around within that hidden void. Beneath the fall-front are three more full-width drawers, all with the same very fine hand-cut dovetailing of the oak secondary woods found in the other drawers. The desk is raised on bold feet in the front and straight feet in the back. The reverse of the cabinet retains a 19th century label from the Port of de Bercy in Nice (P.L.M.) where it was likely exported. A stunningly beautiful presentation. Measurements: 59 7/8" H x 38 1/2" W x 18 1/2" D; knee clearance 28 1/2" (floor to underside of writing surface); writing area 22 3/8" D x 27 1/8" W Condition Report: The larger drawer brass knobs are very high quality replacements (several original pulls retained), smaller knobs are all original; several brass keyhole escutcheons are faithful replacements hand fabricated by our conservator; desk would likely have had a marble top, this having been replaced with an ebonized wood top a very long time ago; leather writing surface is early and probably original, this worn and with cracks, ripples and other blemishes, but still absolutely serviceable; a strip of wood was added across the back, probably to seal a crack; back feet ended out (1" blocks added to underside, probably to restore loss from rubbing/dry rot); working key; a very fine state of preservation with a delightful surface patina and gentle cognac hue with a well-preserved French polish sealed under wax. An excellent presentation. About silla antiques & art Established in 2009, we have available in our 9000 square foot brick-and-mortar gallery an ever-changing selection of carefully curated and catalogued furniture, decorative arts, paintings, sculpture and estate jewelry. Our company has long specialized in sculpture circa 1860 through 1930 and as such the gallery always has a very large collection of exceptional European and American sculpture available on display. The gallery is located at 117 W Burd Street in Shippensburg, Pennsylvania and is open by appointment only. We welcome your visit and would love to meet with you at the shop. For clients located outside of the area, we are always available to discuss items by video conferencing or by phone.
  • Dimensions:
    Height: 59.88 in (152.1 cm)Width: 38.5 in (97.79 cm)Depth: 18.5 in (46.99 cm)
  • Style:
    Empire (Of the Period)
  • Materials and Techniques:
  • Place of Origin:
  • Period:
  • Date of Manufacture:
    1830
  • Condition:
    Replacements made: See condition notes. Repaired: See condition notes.
  • Seller Location:
    Shippensburg, PA
  • Reference Number:
    Seller: 407TCJ10P-21stDibs: LU1059042569342

More From This Seller

View All
Fine English George III Antique Mahogany Secretary Desk circa 1780
Located in Shippensburg, PA
A VERY FINE GEORGE III MAHOGANY SECRETAIRE WITH A GLAZED BOOKSHELF ABOVE A CHEST OF DRAWERS England, circa 1780 Three drawers signed "William Jones" ...
Category

Antique 18th Century English George III Secretaires

Materials

Brass

French Empire Style Mahogany Antique Secretary Desk
Located in Shippensburg, PA
EMPIRE STYLE GILT-BRONZE MOUNTED MAHOGANY SECRETARY DESK Composed of 19th century elements ref. 501GWU22P 45 7/8" H x 32 1/8" W x 15 5/8" D; writing area is 15" D x 26 1/8" W Thi...
Category

20th Century French Empire Desks

Materials

Bronze, Ormolu

George III English Antique Mahogany Bookcase Secretary Desk circa 1780
Located in Shippensburg, PA
A very fine secretary desk of diminutive proportions, this fabulous form features an upper bookcase with a cove-molded cornice over a pair of glazed doors with eight panels each, these divided with original astragal moldings, opening to reveal an adjustable three-shelf space bookcase. The doors are beautifully embellished with fluted pilasters boasting Ionic capitals that are exquisitely detailed with rich undercutting. The lower case features a brushing slide situated over five rows of graduated drawers, the second from the top cleverly fitted with a green baize writing surface that pushes back to reveal storage space beneath while the faceted glass inkwell bottles (one missing the lid) and double trough pen tray are situated along the right side. The timbers selected for the case are above reproach and present with a ruby hue throughout that is incredibly appealing, this finished under a glowing silky French polish to the mahogany veneers throughout. The drawers are hung with period Georgian brasses...
Category

Antique 18th Century English George III Bookcases

Materials

Brass

English George III Mahogany Secretary Desk with Bookcase circa 1780
Located in Shippensburg, PA
GEORGE III MAHOGANY SECRETARY DESK WITH GLAZED UPPER BOOKCASE England, circa 1780 formerly with Ginsburg & Levy Item # 401HYF25Q A rich and vibrant secretary desk from the late yea...
Category

Antique 18th Century English George III Bookcases

Materials

Bronze

French Restauration Antique Mahogany Cylinder Roll-Top Desk circa 1830
Located in Shippensburg, PA
FINE RESTAURATION PERIOD ORMOLU-MOUNTED FLAMED MAHOGANY BUREAU À CYLINDER France, circa 1830 Item # 403ZGP18C An exceedingly fine bureau à cylinder from the Restauration period in F...
Category

Antique 19th Century English Empire Desks

Materials

Marble, Brass, Ormolu

French Louis XVI Style Parquetry & Bronze Antique Armoire Wardrobe ca. 1880
Located in Shippensburg, PA
LOUIS XVI STYLE PARQUETRY-INLAID ORMOLU MOUNTED ONE-DOOR ARMOIRE Paris, France circa 1880 lock stamped "B & P Paris", back of one mount stamped "L.P." Item # 403BDA14P This exquisite Louis XVI style armoire is a picture of the high precision cabinetwork the French ébénistes of the 19th century were capable of producing. Crafted in Paris in the last years of the 19th century, the cabinet is finished on the top with an original marble top shaped to conform to the cabinet profile. This is raised by a thin crown of egg-and-dart molding over a repeating greek-key border executed in solid brass. The front door is a brilliant display of parquetry inlay work, an extraordinarily complicated arrangement that comes together flawlessly: the kingwood veneer ground is set diagonally while being bookmatched down the center to create symmetry - a form that is more fully developed in the sides of the case where these diagonal veneers are set into rectilinear and square panels for greater effect. This surrounds a rosewood and stringer-inlaid border encasing a latticework of rosewood astragals over squared lighter hue woods. The application of the veneers is so convincingly executed - note the curves of the rosewood inlays where the grain of the wood twists to create spirals that appear to layer upon one another. In the center of the door is a large ormolu mount of a Neoclassical urn with bacchus masks on either side raised over a pierced footer embellished by foliage. This door opens using only a key, as there is no knob or pull hardware to allow access to the space. The interior is a very spacious and simple arrangement that allows clothing to be hung while valuables and smalls are stored in the cupboard at the top. No keys are presently available for the door or the interior cupboard, but if locking the armoire is important than having keys fabricated is never terribly difficult and can be done by our shop upon request. The lock is marked on the inside by the fabricator "B & P Paris", while one fo the rosette mounts on the corners of the cabinet is marked "L.P." A magnificent example of Parisian craftsmanship from the late 19th century, this is a very fine armoire of ideal dimensions for both function and aesthetically. Unlike so many armoires and wardrobes...
Category

Antique 19th Century French Louis XVI Wardrobes and Armoires

Materials

Marble, Bronze, Ormolu

You May Also Like

French Empire Flame Mahogany Drop Front Secretaire Abattant Secretary Desk
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique French Empire Flame Mahogany Drop Front Secretaire Abattant Secretary Desk. Item features 2 part construction, beautiful tapered capitol, brass hardware, mother of pearl keyh...
Category

Antique Mid-19th Century Unknown Empire Secretaires

Materials

Mahogany

19th Century Classical Charles X Burled Mahogany Secretaire a Abattant
Located in Miami, FL
A dramatic Charles X fall front secretary in astounding burled mahogany veneer. The original fossilized marble top is supported by an elliptical molding. The main body contains one u...
Category

Antique Late 18th Century French Charles X Desks

Materials

Mahogany

*An Exquisite 19th Century French Flame Mahogany Fitted Secretaire
Located in Reading, Berkshire
An Exquisite 19th Century French Flame Mahogany Secretaire. Complete With Fitted Interior, & Enclosed Shelves, Raised On A Plinth ...
Category

Antique 19th Century French Regency Secretaires

Materials

Brass, Steel

Empire style Mahogany secretaire abattant, circa 1840
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A very good quality 19th Century French Mahogany marble topped Empire style Secretaire Abattant. Having a frieze drawer, classical ormolu mounted classical columns to either side. Th...
Category

Antique Mid-19th Century French Empire Revival Desks

Materials

Mahogany

Late 19th Century Flamed Mahogany Secretaire
Located in Bronx, NY
Category

Antique 19th Century American Secretaires

Materials

Mahogany

18th Century Empire Secretary Veneered with Mahogany
Located in Opole, PL
We present you an antique piece of furniture covered with mahogany veneer with beautiful grain. It is topped with a green marble board. The whole is dated the turn of the 18th and th...
Category

Antique Late 18th Century French Empire Secretaires

Materials

Marble